Here in Newport

Well, I've been bad about keeping everyone updated (but that isn't all that surprising, is it?). Truth be told, I typically post these things from work during my lunch hour, but my new job has this site blocked so I can't post. I guess I should be doing work at work (gasp!).

The house

The house is mostly put together. We put two trees in our predominantly grassy backyard: a Laturrula fig and an American Persimmon. I found a wonderful nursery not too far from our house where I got them. The flower bed, which sits along the back side of the house and the side of the porch, is also finished and has vincas, a climbing fig, a climbing rose, Gerber daisies, hydrangeas, rosemary and a couple other flowers that I forget the name of. Our porch has four baskets of herbs: cilantro, basil, thyme, oregano and salvia.

We have a "new" chandelier in the kitchen which compliments our 100-year-old oak table and 1700s prints. It looks fantastic and is joined by china from Grandma Shirley, who passed this spring.

The living room is almost finish -- we just have to stain our TV stand and hall stand to match the fireplace, and get a marble slab for the front of the fire place.

We have been using our garage a lot. Love it. So nice to have your car out of the weather!

I have made some new art for our bedroom, which has a Costa Rica theme. I transferred a couple of photos that I took down there onto burlap and put them on a white canvas -- it looks great (especially with One Way's idea to back them with the white).

Mama Jenny came up a couple weekends ago and decorated our guest bathroom (THANK YOU!). It is gorgeous with a slight Mediterranean feel to it.

The jobs

One Way and I are enjoying our new responsibilities with our new jobs. They are very fulfilling.

The commute

My work is about 8.6 miles away and One Way's is about 16 miles away. In anticipation of our move, he and I bought road bikes to help us cut down on gasoline.

This past week, I started riding my bike to work. I drove in earlier in the week and kept my car parked at work since I have to go out on the clock for interviews. The commute is nice. A majority of my trip is on Highway 70 which has a large shoulder. Then, when I cross over onto Bridges Street, there is a nice bike path. It takes me less than 40 minutes one way.

Riding your bike helps you become more intimate with your surroundings. I'm noticing birds, plants, etc., that I would never have noticed in my car. I almost feel sorry for the people driving their cars. They get all stressed at the stop lights and arrive at work frazzled ... I get relaxed from riding my bike and arrive at work ready to take on the world. Although, I must say, roadkill is a thousand times more disgusting while you are riding your bike by.

One Way hasn't started riding his bike to work yet. But, his commute is considerably farther. He'll probably do it only a couple times a week.

Aside from the health benefits and lowered stress levels, I estimate that riding my bike to work is saving me around $50 a month. Which is not huge, but one small step. I'm also saving about 15 gallons or so a month from being wasted. That feels pretty good too.

The food

The seafood here is fantastic. The fresh produce is fantastic. Just last week, biking home, I picked up two pounds of shrimp and a pound of kale for about $8 and came home and cooked a fresh meal. One Way and I plan on using our areas resources a ton! That way we can eat very healthy and for not much more money than eating meat shipped 3,000 miles away.

The animals

All of the animals have adjusted to their new lives very well. Buttercup is still in training, probably through July 1. Yoda is getting bigger, Kit and Ana love the trails and the railroad tracks behind our house, and Missy Cat loves that she can go out into the backyard from time to time.

The community

People here are great. They are very honest and very open. I have met some wonderful people through my job, but most are in their 80s so I don't think I'll be going out to have drinks with them.

I met Bob Simpson who founded The Big Rock Blue Marlin Festival and was a freelance writer for 20 years before the Crystal Coast was "found." He has invited us to join the Carteret County Wildlife Club. We will be going to a cookout later today. Basically, we will help build and maintain trails for the Neusiok Trail. Awesome!!!

We have started going to the reform synagogue B'Nai Sholem in New Bern. The people are very unpretentious and very nice. Very welcoming! So, hopefully we will be doing more with them. They have already invited me to be on a committee or two, and if I have the time, I'll be happy to oblige.

We haven't made any real friends yet. But we haven't had a chance to interact with people our own age. One Way is having fun golfing, and I'm having fun running around the community and meeting people.



Anyway, I will get more pictures when I have a chance. I have some fantastic ones of One Way and his new ship, the Smilax (reminds me of Smile+Relax, haha). We miss everyone and can't wait for people to start visiting me, and for when we can get a chance to visit everyone!